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How to deal with
a
money problem
How to deal with a money problem:-
O.K. If you got this far you are ready to face one of the greatest hurdles in your Christian life. How to overcome your love of money and yet have plenty of it. And how will you do that? By undergoing a severe test every seven days to strengthen your resolve to be like Jesus, who gave up ALL to be our Saviour.
You must give some money away!
But you are only asked to give a little! 1/3 of your income approximately.
Yep, that's right. 33% approximately!
How does it work?
I'm going to use quite a few Bible texts here so that you can see that I am not making this up, but it is what God wants. He loves you and knows your needs better than you do.
First, Jesus asks you for 10% of all your increase, or profit, not as judged by the Tax Department, but as you and He see it. Before tax but after expenses. This is what He says:-
Leviticus 27:30-32
And all the tithe [a tenth] of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy [special] to the LORD.
And if a man will at all redeem [change] any of his [ordinary] tithes, he shall add to it the fifth part thereof [20%, as a fine].
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatever passes under the rod [their way of counting], the tenth shall be holy to the LORD. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
He supplies the land and the animals [your life] and the produce of it or them [your talents] and expects you to pay Him fair rental for them. Today that would more likely mean an amount of 10% of the weekly or fortnightly gross pay cheque, but it could still be natural goods, whatever you produce (not manufacture). As you have read, He will take the good or the bad, He doesn't mind and neither should you.
The verse below applies to an offering to be made to help the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem, but the principle remains the same. On the first working day of the week count your blessings for the previous week (in this case your payday) and set aside God's portion.
1 Corinthians 16:2
Upon the first day of the week [Sunday] let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Those on an annual income, such as farmers, can do what they do now. Take drawings each period as their pay (fortnightly or monthly), separate the tithe on that, and then settle up at the end of the year.
Note that He is not asking you to choose to do this. He says that the tithe is actually His. If you do not give it back then you are stealing from Him! I did say this wasn't going to be easy, didn't I?
Yes, He means just that. If you don't pay Him His "rent" then you are a thief! And you should pay on time, too. Every rent day [payday]. This is what He said to the Jews some time before Jesus came to the earth. The majority were very unwilling to pay their tithe and some even refused to do so. This was not a new thing but dated back for many centuries. It was one of the reasons why God could not send prophets to help them for the last four hundred years between the Old and the New Testaments!
Malachi 3:7-12
Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from My ordinances [methods], and have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.
But you said, Where shall we return?
Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me.
But you say, Wherein have we robbed You?
In tithes and offerings.
You are cursed with a curse [of being tight-fisted]: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat [food] in My house, and prove Me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightsome land, says the LORD of hosts.
This is probably a good place to put the following verses. You are doubtless reeling in shock at this moment!
1 Timothy 6:6-11
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition [but don’t bother poor people],. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man [or woman] of God, flee [run hard from] these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
This is really going to hit you where it hurts for God pulls no punches when it comes to mankind's dearest love. If you can't take this then you have no place in the kingdom of heaven!!
Notice that it is the "love of money which is the root of all evil". Money itself is nothing for it is only a means of exchange, it is the foolish love of money (alias power or security) which the people of this world hanker after. But also notice that He has promised to look after you and that you will actually be much better off if you give Him back His money. You will not have room to receive the blessing, He says. (You'll have to do a lot of sharing then, won't you?) Do you have the faith to believe Him?
By the way, He is not a hard taskmaster and doesn't expect you to restore for all the years you didn't know about tithing. He just wants you to start now. Of course, if you did know about it and accepted the principle in the past, but have since fallen away, then you DO owe it to Him. If it's been a long time then ask Him how to deal with it.
This money or goods He expects you to give to His church. So you will now have to find His church. It's the place where He has put His name as it is written below!
Deuteronomy 16:2
You shall therefore sacrifice the passover to the LORD your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place His name there.
The passover was a yearly lamb sacrifice that the people of Israel killed as a picture of the death of Jesus when He first accepted their sin problem. So this means that you should normally expect the person/place who showed you the gospel of Christianity to be that place. If they have His "name" there, then that's probably a good place to hand it in. But the Spirit will give you specific instructions when you ask, for by now you won't be doing anything without His direction.
Take special note of these words.
Deuteronomy 12:10-14
But when you go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God gives you to inherit [the land of "rest" from sin which you are now in], and when He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety; then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there; there shall you bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to the LORD.
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he has no part nor inheritance with you.
Take heed to yourself that you offer not your burnt offerings in every place that you see [or feel like]: but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.
God is reminding you that you cannot choose the place to deposit your tithe or your offerings. He has a special place and that's where it must go.
But don't forget, you ARE NOT PAYING it to them, you are returning it to God through them. This is most important. They are His "land agents" if you wish.
Having His name means acting out His character, for a name in the Bible is descriptive of the character of the person. So you will be guided by their behaviour as well as the Spirit's promptings.
Once you have handed it over you are no longer personally responsible for it. That will be between God and the organisation accepting it. He will take over and handle it by Himself through His workers. Remember, it's HIS money! He says He has servants who will use it.
Numbers 18:21
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi [today they are the ministers] all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance [to be used for their pay], for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation [the church].
So far, so good! 10% for God. Can you carry on to learn more?
The second 10%
Then Jesus asks for another 10% under the same conditions.
10% of the gross profit, so the two tithes are equal. This time He wants you to keep it within easy reach and use it to help those He guides you to, for it is a source of funding for the poor and needy.
He distinguishes this second portion by telling you that you and others can use it yourselves. But, because it's a second tithe, God wants to have some input on how it's used. There are so many poor and needy people around your area that Jesus wants you to do for Him that which He cannot do right now - help them. So you and He will have to get in a huddle and plan how and when it is to be used.
Deuteronomy 14:22-27
You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of your corn, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks; that you may learn to fear [respect] the LORD your God always.
And if the way be too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from you, which the LORD your God shall choose to set His name there, when the LORD your God has blessed you: then shall you turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and shall go to the place which the LORD your God shall choose: and you shall bestow that money for whatever your soul greatly desires, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul desires: and you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you, and your household, and the Levite that is within your gates; you shall not forsake him; for he has no part nor inheritance with you.
What He is asking for here is a religious feast in a religious situation with you as the host and inviting all those who need help to "come and get it". Food, clothing, furniture, you name it, you can use the money for whatever is needed. But you must use it "in the place where His name is" which means that you must do it in same way He would do it. You must be of His character while you are doing this. You must walk in His footsteps.
If the tithe was of a bulky or perishable nature the Israelite could sell it at home and transport the money to be used at the other end. We don't need to do that now because of refrigeration and our vehicles etc. But, when the needy ask you why you are doing this, it will be a great opportunity to tell them of your Saviour and how you want to thank Him. Then, when they want to thank you, you can say, Oh no, don't thank me, its not my money, but God's, Thank Him!
Because the Israelites were doing this only once a year, they would have to give large quantities of supplies to the needy to keep them going till next time. Every one had to plan for a whole year in those days - till the next harvest. Nowadays the Spirit will certainly use you more often.
Then came a special time to clear out the hoard - to make sure it was all used up.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
At the end of three years you shall bring forth all the tithe of your increase the same year, and shall lay it up within your gates [at home this time because now you have learnt to be like Him] and the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates [in your area], shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
What a great God! Jesus knows exactly how to get us going and how to help those in need. They need not let their pride get in the way because it's no big deal to take a gift from God.
The Levite (Bible teacher) is there so that even if you can't show them the Bible, he can. But you are the host!
If you are willing to use both of these tithes in the way Jesus has set out, then you are definitely following in His footsteps. So then He tells you what kind of a prayer to offer to His Father.
The tithing prayer
Deuteronomy 26:12-15
[God says] When you have made an end of tithing [and sharing] all the tithes of your increase the third year, which is the [final] year of [the] tithing [cycle], and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within your gate [in your house], and be filled; then you shall say before the LORD your God,
"I have brought away the hallowed [sacred] things out of my house, and also have given them to the Levite, and to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me [the specific directions]:
"I have not transgressed Your commandments, neither have I forgotten them [in my personal life]:
"I have not eaten thereof in my mourning [I have not done this unwillingly],
"neither have I taken away any of it for any unclean use [I haven’t used it for sinful things],
"nor given any of it for the dead [I haven’t helped Satan’s kingdom with it]:
"but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me.
"Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless [not me, but] Your people Israel, and the land which You have given us, as You swore [promised] to our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey [a land of plenty - more than we need, and more than we want]."
Watch that last one about giving it to the dead! That's where Satan often gets at you. His method of squeezing money out of you is to play on your emotions till you have to give to one of his "charitable" organisations. God simply puts the principle before you and says, If you love Me, keep My commandments. If you do it to one of these little ones you have done it to Me.
The main difference between God's way and Satan's way is that with God you personally deal with the needy. And it's a partnership based on free will.
Satan's way you can ease your conscience without any effort and you don't have to consult, but you are forced into it.
Ready for more?
Only after you have set aside these two tithes (20%) can you honestly think about a free will offering. So far, you have only returned to God what was rightfully His. Now you can walk the extra mile and offer some of your own. If you want to!!
Are you happy on your birthday, your wedding day, the day your child was born; are you happy being saved by Jesus; are you happy? Then you may want to share some of that happiness by ASKING the Holy Spirit to show you how to. He has lots of ideas and He will gladly share them with you. As much as you are willing to give, money, time, experience, ability, He will take it all and tell you how to use it to God's glory.
This is where the rest of the 33% comes in. It doesn't have to be that much - you might only want to give 1/2 a tithe and make it 25%. You may not give money at all, but give time or experience. What you give will be governed by the value you place on the sacrifice which saved you. Whatever you offer will be gratefully accepted by your Father and used to forward His cause. How and when will be worked out by the Spirit and you. Just remember that if you make a promise to Him who never breaks a promise, it's a good idea to keep yours.
Now you are really working as a Christian! Praise the LORD, He has been able to separate you from the world's great love, mammon. What a miracle!
oooOooo
P. S. You know what's the worst thing about all this?
God doesn't need your money at all!! He "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" is how the sweet singer of Israel put it. This simply means that He is very rich, He owns the universe, and can make anything He wants. He could finance His church without any problem.
So why does He ask you for your tiny amount?
Because you NEED to give.
You (and I) need to learn how to return and share that which God has given us.
And we also need to see and feel what it is like to see things wasted!! For you will certainly see that in the church. Being a divine/human institution there are bound to be times when you do not agree with how the church uses YOUR money. You may even be "tempted" to leave the church or retain your tithe.
EXCEPT IT ISN'T YOURS.
AND GOD HAS CONTROL OF HOW IT'S USED, NOT YOU.
LET HIM DEAL WITH IT AND YOU HAVE LEARNED THE GREATEST LESSON IN THE UNIVERSE.
Go back and think this through again.
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